A mere child of 11 when he took the Byzantine Empire`s throne, Constans II ruled for 27 years. Known more for his luxurious beard than political prowess, he earned the nickname The Bearded. It is this beard that is often featured on his coins. Under his rule, Egypt and Cyprus were lost to the Arabs. Unable to stop the advance of the Muslim armies, he retreated to the isle of Sicily late in his reign. It was there that he was assassinated.